8 posts categorized "Jeff Samardzija"

August 12, 2009

What a fascinating matchup at Wrigley Field, Jeff Samardzija starting his first major league game against the Phillies' Pedro Martinez, who is starting his 401st.

But both had something to prove: That they could be starters on the major league level.Martinez is coming back from shoulder problems and was signed by the Phillies in July 15.

Martinez last pitched for the Mets on Sept. 25 -- against the Cubs, a no-decision that the Mets eventually won. Micah Hoffpauir had three hits and two RBI in that game, but is now in the minor leagues.

Also, the pitcher whom Martinez replaces in the Phillies' rotation is former Cub Jamie Moyer. Moyer is actually second among active pitchers in victories (256) and Martinez fourth (214).

April 22, 2009

The decision to call up Jeff Samardzija on Thursday signals the end of Luis Vizcaino's brief career on the North Side, while giving Aaron Heilman a companion as the bridge to Carlos Marmol and Kevin Gregg.

"He'll help out in that sixth, seventh inning role to start with," Piniella said. "He's been starting,so he's built up his arm. I probably will use (David) Patton and (Angel) Guzman a little longer. Jeff will be one of my shorter people- not in heighth. Anyways, we'll use him an inning plus. He's not going to be pitching long. We'll use him like we're using Heilman.

Neal Cotts managed to survive once again, but obviously will be on a short leash due to his control issues. Piniella spoke to Cotts after Tuesday's game and told him to "make the hitters hit it" instead of nibbling around the plate.

"I told him to relax and throw the ball," Piniella said. "Seems like he's aiming some. Last year he finished up the season really really strong and came to spring training and really pitched well three quarters of the way through spring. I told him to just relax and throw it. You've got a good arm- use it."

Actually, Cotts' struggles date back to last August, when he compiled a 6.10 earned-run average. He had a 6.00 ERA in September, but had two scoreless outings in the playoff loss to Los Angeles.

"We've got faith that Neal is going to come out of it," Hendry said. "He pitched very well at the end of last year, and pitched very well, except for (one) game in spring training. It's April 22nd. He had a couple of bad days. We're going to keep giving him more chances, and I think he's going to be tough enough to figure it out."

March 31, 2009

MESA, Ariz.- General manager Jim Hendry was working the phone Tuesday morning, trying to make a trade or two to sort out the bullpen situation.

Two spots are open, with Chad Gaudin, David Patton, Angel Guzman and Jeff Samardzija in the running. Chad Fox is also here, but he will report to Triple-A Iowa after the Cubs-Yankees series in New York, accoridng to Cubs sources.

Samardzija can also be sent down to Iowa if he doesn't make the final cut, but Gaudin, Guzman and Patton are all trade possibilities because they have no options left and would have to clear waivers to be sent down.

The Cubs would like to keep Patton, the Rule 5 pick who has compiled an 0.84 earned-run average. That would leave one spot for either Gaudin, who makes $2 million, or Guzman, who was once their top pitching prospect before injuries stunted his career.

The option of putting Gaudin, Patton or Guzman on waivers ends Wednesday afternoon, but sources said the Cubs won't do that with any of the three relievers. The final roster doesn't have to be turned in until Sunday, the first day of the 2009 season, when Philadelphia plays Atlanta. So it could come down to the final game on Saturday in New York.

"There will either be a trade, an option.... anything but (putting one of them through) waivers," manager Lou Piniella said. "We're just going to pitch everybody and see what happens. We have some depth.

"One of the things that's interesting, and it happens every spring- it's a phenomenon- you think you always have enough because there's going to be competition until the last day, and all of a sudden people start giving up runs. It's almost, not comical, but a little funny to watch. These kids are trying so hard that they're not as relaxed as they should be."

Last year the Cubs took lefty Carmen Pignatiello with the final bullpen spot after he was untouchable all spring. But after two shaky appearances, Pignatiello was optioned to Iowa and was never heard from again.

Patton, who has a career record of 21-25 with a 4.46 ERA in five seasons of pitching in Class-A ball, is a risk because of his lack of experience. But he's looked so good for so long this spring the Cubs are hoping he can make the huge jump from Class A to the majors without any major problems.

March 19, 2009

PEORIA- Manager Lou Piniella is close to crowning Sean Marshall as the fifth starter, a no-brainer decision based on Marshall's 0.63 earned-run average.

That decision could come by Friday, giving Aaron Heilman a chance to move back to the bullpen, where he'll likely serve as the seventh inning bridge from the starter to the set-up man. Heilman starts today against Seattle in Peoria.

After Marshall wins the job, the only other pressing issues are the final two relievers and the back-up catcher. Koyie Hill, hitting .414 this spring to Paul Bako's .208 average, appears to have the inside track as Geovany Soto's back-up.

As for the final two bullpen spots, the only ones stepping up are Rule 5 pick David Patton (1.35 ERA) and lefty Jason Waddell, a non-roster invitee with a 1.13 ERA. Jeff Samardzija was scratched from his next start so he can concentrate on winning a bullpen spot. Samardzija was projected as one of the relievers at the start of camp, but has done himself no favors with a 9.90 ERA and .341 batting average against in four outings.

The only certainties are Kevin Gregg, Carlos Marmol, Heilman and Neal Cotts. Luis Vizcaino also appears to have a spot based on his contract and lack of trade value, but Piniella would only say five spots are taken.

That leaves Chad Gaudin, who will start on Tuesday, as the odd man out. Gaudin may be falling into the proverbial dumpster with a 11.17 ERA, while Angel Guzman (14.40), Kevin Hart (6.14) and Jose Ascanio (12.71) are also blowing opportunities to make the team.

The Cubs bullpen "depth" that Jim Hendry talked about so much in January and February does not appear quite so deep in mid-March.

In other news, Milton Bradley became the father to a baby boy, named Noah, and returned to take batting practice after a bout with the flu. Bradley passed out El Bubble gum cigars to his teammates, coaches, clubhouse personnel and even the beat writers.

March 16, 2009

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Jeff Samardzija made what is likely his last spring start for the Cubs Wednesday against the Brewers, with manager Lou Piniella reiterating that Samardzija's immediate future is most likely in the bullpen.

Piniella said he would have the starting rotation and many of the bullpen slots figured out "by Thursday or Friday, but if Samrdzija doesn't win a starting spot, he'll be seriously considered for a bullpen spot in the middle or shorter role."

Cubs brass also has talked about sending Samardzija back to Triple-A to work on being a starter, but this is the second time within a week that Piniella has strongly hinted the major league bullpen was more likely. Last season, the Notre Dame grad made 26 appearances, posting a 0.95 ERA at Wrigley Field.

"I've seen him improve," Piniella said. "I like the way he competes and goes about his business. He's basically learning to pitch at this level."

January 06, 2009

It's official as of Tuesday afternoon: Jason Marquis is an ex-Cub, sent to Colorado for former White Sox reliever Luis Vizcaino.

The Cubs also sent $875,000 in cash to the Rockies, but realized a savings of $5 million on this year's payroll, a figure which helped pay for the signing of outfielder Milton Bradley and $30 million contract.

Marquis was 23-18 with a 4.57 ERA in 63 appearances in two seasons with the Cubs.

Vizcaino, who had a 3.73 ERA in 65 outings for the White Sox in their championship season, struck out 49 batters in 46 innings with Colorado last season and has allowed only a .183 batting average with runners in scoring position for his career.

Used as mainly a specialist to get out right-handed batters last season, Vizcaino helps ease the loss of Bob Howry to free agency and the move of Carlos Marmol to closer. It could also pave the way for Jeff Samardzija to move from the bullpen to starter.

July 28, 2008

The idea would’ve seen far-fetched only a few weeks ago, but that was before Kerry Wood’s blister problem, and Samardzija’s quick ascension to the Cubs after less than two seasons in the minors.

“We’re going to pitch whoever is available, whoever is the freshest,” manager Lou Piniella said before Monday’s game. “I’ve got three people I can throw out there in the closer’s role. We can just rotate it around and throw the freshest arm.”

Carlos Marmol will close out tonight’s game if the Cubs get into a situation where they need a closer, and Samardzija is unavailable after pitching two innings on Sunday.

But asked if Samardzija is part of the three-man mix, along with Marmol and Bob Howry, Piniella replied: “Why not.”

Amazingly, Wood still is not close to returning from his blister issue, and Piniella does not envision using him in the four-game series against the Brewers at Miller Park. Piniella would not say when he thought Wood would re-appear, because he doesn’t know when the blister will be completely healed.

Ben Sheets and Josh Beckett are among the current crop of power pitchers who’ve experienced blister problems in the past. Wood’s last game was July 11th, and he’ll get at least three weeks of rest if he doesn’t return in the Brewers series.

While Wood threw a bullpen session on Monday, things still haven’t gotten any better.

“He threw with a protective pad on (the index finger) for a while and it felt OK,” Piniella said. “Then he took it off and tried to throw without it, and he couldn’t.”

Wood was unavailable for comment.

In other news, the Cubs will be without first base coach Matt Sinatro, who was suspended for two games and fined by Major League Baseball for making contact with first base umpire Rob Drake on Saturday.

“How about that -- he gets suspended for two days,” Piniella said.

Piniella was also fined by MLB “inciting” the unruly bleacher fans at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

“I was held responsible for the trash that was thrown out of the field,” Piniella said.

Why’s that?

“There wasn’t trash before I went onto the field, there was trash after I left,” he said. “I don’t know.”

July 25, 2008

Jeff Samardzija, the former Notre Dame receiver, flew all night from Tucson so he could get his first taste of the major leagues Friday at Wrigley Field.

"I just remember going to big games in college and not sleeping much the night before and thinking about every possible situation," he said in the Cub clubhouse after taking the roster spot of Kerry Wood. "Just sitting on the two planes last night, there wasn't a situation that didn't go through my head."

Manager Lou Piniella said Samardzija would be used strictly out of the bullpen for now, most likely as a long man. There is no guarantee how long he will be here, because Wood is eligible to come off the disabled list in the middle of next week.

Signed to a five-year contract out of college, Samardzija is the first member of the Cubs' 2006 draft class to make the majors.

"I said from day one I wasn't putting any timetable on anything," he said. "I was just going to go out and improve on what I needed to improve on and work on the pitches I needed to work on. Whenever it happened, it happened. I wasn't going to put any pressure on anything."